20 Jul Series Seven; If God Loves Me Why Isn’t Life Easier?
“If God loves me why isn’t life easier?” Well… put your hand up if you have asked that question at least once in the last week? 😉
We explored this very question at length last Sunday with the Relevance family. The message was based on the story of Joseph. You may have heard of the musical/show “Joseph and the Techni-colour Dream Coat” – well, that’s the same Joseph.
Joseph’s story starts in Genesis chapter 37. He is the favourite son of his father – the patriarch Jacob – and is, as a result, hated by his brothers. The brothers conspire against him and sell him to slave traders who sell him on to a rich Egyptian man called Potiphar. Can you imagine going from favourite son to a slave in a foreign land? What did Joseph do to deserve it? Absolutely nothing!
And even as a slave the Bible says: “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered…” (Genesis 39:2).
Eventually, Potiphar makes him ruler over his household! But then comes a distraction in the form of Potiphar’s wife. She decides she wants Joseph and when he resists he suddenly finds himself in jail, falsely accused of attempted rape! What did Joseph do to deserve it? Absolutely nothing!
And even in jail the Bible says: “But while Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.” (Genesis 39:20-21).
Hmmm… are you seeing a pattern here?
What God does next will blow your mind. The king of all Egypt (the Pharaoh) has a dream that no wise counsel can interpret. The king’s butler had been in jail and Joseph had interpreted a dream for him on a previous occasion. The butler, now a free man and back in the king’s service, remembers. And in one day Joseph goes from prison to the palace!
But why all the ups and downs, God? Why couldn’t you make Joseph just go from the favourite techni-coloured robed son to the overseer of all Egypt in one day?
Because God is a God of process! God is interested in what He can do through us and what he can give to us. But He is mostly interested in what He can do IN US. So sometimes miracles, breakthroughs and answered prayers are immediate. And sometimes God allows “divine discomfort” in our lives in order to stretch us, grow us and transform us so that we can look more like Jesus and have the capacity to fulfill His will.
Romans 5:3-5 says this: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment…”WOW!!
When we are in a difficult place the enemy would have us think that God is not interested and has abandoned us, but God’s Word challenges this thinking. He says “I will not fail you or let you down!” (Hebrews 13:6) and that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from HIS LOVE (Romans 8:38-39). Those are awesome promises to stand on when things don’t make sense!
The trial may seem long but His grace gives us the ability to endure. Distractions may come but His grace gives us the ability to overcome. Trials may challenge your concept of God but trust His heart when you can’t understand how things will work out. Don’t focus on the circumstance – rather draw close to God, soak in His love for you, seek Him on a deeper level and allow Him to build you to receive all that He has for you.
Your set back is a set up for your promotion. Don’t give up 🙂
Be blessed and see you on Sunday!
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